DATE=10/21/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK/POL (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255329
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Deposed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif's party is demanding an immediate
restoration of democracy. The party - the
Pakistan Muslim League -- has urged the military
rulers to release Mr. Sharif, who remains under
arrest. He has not been seen since the dismissal
of his government in a bloodless military coup
last week. Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.
TEXT: Senior members of Mr. Sharif's political
party met briefly in the Pakistani capital
(Thursday) for the first time since the coup.
A party spokesman, Zafarul Haq, told reporters
the group laments the military takeover and is
worried about Mr. Sharif's health and well being.
/// HAQ ACT ///
This change was unjustified and this change
is unfortunate. We are demanding that
democracy should be restored immediately.
We are also demanding that we should have
access to our leader, Nawaz Sharif. We are
also demanding his immediate release. We
would certainly like that there is no
confrontation between the Pakistan Muslim
League and the armed forces of Pakistan,
because it would be disaster for both
sides, as well as for the country.
/// END ACT ///
Since the coup on October 12th most of the
officials arrested with Mr. Sharif have been
released, but he remains in what the army calls
protective custody. An army spokesman said
Wednesday that Mr. Sharif is in good health and
is being treated well.
Meanwhile, the human rights group Amnesty
International has urged (Thursday) Pakistan's new
military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, to
charge and give fair trails to members of the
ousted government or immediately release them.
The United States and other governments have
urged the general to restore democracy to
Pakistan. (Signed)
NEB/AG/LTD/gm
21-Oct-1999 12:27 PM EDT (21-Oct-1999 1627 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.